The Domestic Four

DIY Quiet Time Busy Boxes

I’ve been thinking about making these for quite some time now and just never seemed to get around to doing so. They’re a fabulous way to keep older children quiet busy while younger ones are sleeping. So, when the 3 year olds quit napping and I still had an infant who did, making Quiet Time Busy Boxes became priority #1 and I’ve been using them during the afternoon center time I mentioned in my Mommy Preschool post! The kids have been loving them and we’re enjoying over an hour each day of quiet time without turning on the TV!

For the actual boxes I went to the Dollar Tree and scored the fun colorful ones for, well, $1/each. I was also able to get just about everything I used in the boxes from there as well, with just a few exceptions. While some of the activities could have fit into pencil case bags, I decided to go with boxes because it’s the same price and if I ever switch out the activities I know just about anything will fit.

What did I include?

$1 foam puzzle + $1 bag of rice = fun sensory experience/ pre-math activity (the kids search through and find the letters then complete the puzzle)$1 bag of pom poms + $1 kitchen tongs + $1 muffin tin = color matching/ sorting/ small motor activity (the kids pick up each ball with the tongs and sort them by color into the muffin tin)$1 foam counting blocks + FREE printable from allourdays.com = Block Puzzles (the kids use the blocks to fill in the outlined area)

FREE cardstock + FREE stickers (I had already) + FREE clothespins = counting/ number recognition/ small motor activity (the kids count the number of stickers and place the clothespin above the correct number)

$1 Large Craft Sticks + $2 Velcro Dots = Shape Making (I also included a box of shape cards so they can look at a card and then make the shape)$1 Craft Sticks + FREE Paint Strips =AWESOME color matching activity!

Are the kidos enjoying them?

The is a $1 box of letter cards I grabbed at the dollar store and then Easter eggs with the upper and lower case letters written one on each half. I’ve been having them match up the cards first (self correcting) and then using the cards to match up the eggs.

I’d say they’re definitely fans! The best part, for me anyway, is that they’re learning! Even though they may not realize it! 🙂

In total, I made 12 bins each with a different activity. I don’t get them all down each day though. I shoot for offering one more activity than kids present (4 if there’s 3 kids, etc) and I always have our Leappads and educational computer games as a choice so they’re not getting bored of the boxes too fast. The final list of all the activities included…

Sight Word Cards (Dollar Tree) and clothespins with a letter on each (the kids pick up a card and find at least one of the letters and match the clothespin to the letter)

I’m sure they’ll begin to tire of the activities eventually and I’ll have to find new ones but that shouldn’t be too difficult, I’ll just head over to Pinterest! 🙂 I also pinned most of these activities to my Preschool Time board along with tons of other ideas so check it out!

~Danielle

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Hi there! We live in Central PA. If it’s the actual bins you’re looking for I usually find them with the socks (they’re technically shoe storage boxes) not with the other containers. Sometimes they’re clear plastic and sometimes all colored like these. If all else fails you can usually find them at Walmart. They’ll be a little more expensive (not too bad) but will be a better quality. Good luck!

Hi! I’m so sorry I never responded. I responded in my head and never actually did on here! *facepalm* Anyway, I’ve not actually implemented these with just one child. I use them with my daycare kidos so while they complete the activities alone, I’m always in the room and there are 3-4 other kids in the area as well. I think, with practice, he’ll get used to doing them solo. I hope that helped, best of luck to you and thanks for visiting!! ~Danielle

Love these! I do mommy preschool, too! I already have a few of these made up but you offered some great, new ideas! I feature Mama School activities every Monday and would love to have you guest post one week if you are interested 🙂 Thanks!!! I would love for you to link up with us at http://www.akreativewhim.com/100-happy-days-link-up-2/

What a fantastic idea! I have two girls very close in age. My eldest is 2 and will likely be giving up her nap soon so this is a perfect idea. Will be pinning this.Tori Gabriel recently posted…10 Reasons All Mum’s Should Love Halloween

love all the great activities and the fact that you were able to get the items that you used at such great prices. Lots of learning going on and by the way I will be sharing and borrowing your ideas
thanks
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

these are awesome. i can’t wait until my youngest stops eating everything so i can do this. but i’ve saved this so i can use it with my oldest!aaronica (the crunchy mommy) recently posted…November Goals

Wow! These are awesome. My son is still little so we do a lot of motion activities, reading and playing with toys. But when he gets a bit older these will be perfect.Nikki recently posted…To the single mom with a newborn